Music

The latest news and reviews of music.

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Ableton Live 12 can create MIDI riffs and has a new synth to play them
The latest version of Ableton's popular Live software has lots of new tools for would-be music makers. A new synth and some MIDI creation tools should help the creativity flow.
Spotify for TVs gets a new look and features to match the mobile app
The Spotify TV app has been revamped to make the user experience of streaming more enjoyable when you’re not using your phone.
Teenage Engineering's recorder and mic make the Field series feel complete
Teenage Engineering's Field series is a family of different recording devices. Each has a purpose on its own, but the idea is that they work better together. The question is, do they?
How the meandering legal definition of 'fair use' cost us Napster but gave us Spotify
From DMCA takedowns to Content ID filters, record labels continue to crack down on online music sharing.
Apple Music's Siri-only $5 voice plan appears to be toast
The Apple Music Voice Plan, which granted users access to the streaming service for $5 per month as long as they were willing to use it only via Siri voice control, appears to be no more.
Spotify looks set to overhaul its royalty model next year
Spotify's royalty model will get a massive revamp next year to give "working artists" a bigger cut, according to Music Business Worldwide.
TikTok's first live 'global music event' will feature Cardi B and Charlie Puth
TikTok is hosting its first live "global music event" in Arizona in December. Emerging artists will perform alongside headliners Cardi B, Niall Horan, Anitta and Charlie Puth.
YouTube Music now lets you generate your own AI playlist art
You can design the the cover art right in the app.
Apple HomePods now have native YouTube Music support
You can now use Siri to play songs from YouTube Music on HomePod speakers even if your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch aren't close by.
Duolingo's gamified music lessons are launching this fall
The educational tech company first announced that it was gearing up to add music lessons to its repertoire back in September, promising "hundreds of bite-sized lessons" that can teach you music with the help of over 200 tunes
Amazon’s live audio-streaming platform Amp closes up shop
Amazon is shutting down its short-lived audio app known as Amp. The tool was designed to allow creators to make custom content as modern DJ hosts.
Revised Protect Musicians Act could empower artists against streaming platforms
US Representative Deborah Ross has introduced updates to the Protect Musicians Act. If passed, the bill will create a level playing field for artist negotiating with major streaming companies.
Victrola's new Hi-Res wireless turntables won't require a Sonos setup
Victrola's new Hi-Res Carbon and Hi-Res Onyx both have built-in Qualcomm audio hardware that will connect to any Bluetooth speakers or headphones. This audio hardware upgrade is a major shift for Victrola.
The Grammys will consider that viral song with Drake and The Weeknd AI vocals for awards after all
The creator of 'Heart on my Sleeve,' a song that used generative AI to mimic the vocals of Drake and The Weeknd, has submitted it for Grammy Award consideration. As it turns out, the composition may actually be eligible for songwriting awards, including song of the year.
Spotify puts publicly available lyrics behind a premium paywall in 'routine test'
Spotify is experimenting with making its in-app lyrics a Premium-only feature. However, this move isn't sitting well with some users.
YouTube Music's Now Playing tab adds everyone's least-favorite feature: YouTube comments
YouTube Music's latest redesign of the Now Playing page is making its way to iOS and Android devices everywhere. There's a new feature that brings an extra social element to the app. You'll now be able to read and post comments on the Now Playing page.
YouTube wants to benefit from AI-generated music without the copyright headaches
YouTube's new principles for AI-generated music welcome the technology, but also play nicely with labels protecting their copyrights.
Scientists recreate an iconic Pink Floyd song by scanning listeners' brains
The research looked at how brains interact with music.
This free plugin uses AI to generate music samples from text prompts
The devs behind AI-based sample editing software Samplab are back with a free VST3 plugin that generates samples from text prompts. The appropriately-named TextToSample is a plugin that opens inside your DAW, allowing you to type, say, “bubbly synth melody” to create a, well, bubbly synth melody.
TikTok expands its music streaming service test to Australia, Mexico and Singapore
TikTok has started inviting users in Australia, Mexico and Singapore to participate in a closed beta test for its new music streaming service, according to TechCrunch and CNBC.

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